Forget primates inheriting the Earth – the next dominant species could be building underwater metropolises and hunting deer with specialised gear, according to a leading biologist. Professor Tim Coulson from the University of Oxford has proposed a startling vision of a future where octopuses evolve to become the planet's next civilisation-builders, but only once humanity has vanished.
The Evolutionary Vacuum Left by Human Extinction
Professor Coulson, author of 'The Universal History of Us', frames his speculation within the undeniable fate of all species. 'The fate of all species is extinction,' he states. 'In fact, 99.9% of all species that have ever existed are extinct. So humans will go extinct.' Whether through our own actions, the Earth's dwindling CO2 levels, or the sun's eventual expansion in billions of years, our departure is seen as an inevitability.
This extinction, however, would create an evolutionary opportunity, much like the asteroid impact 66 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs and allowed mammals to flourish. 'Imagine if that asteroid hadn't crashed into Earth 66 million years ago,' Coulson suggests. 'Dinosaurs would still be around, and mammals would still be kind of rat-sized animals running around their feet.' Our disappearance would similarly clear the ecological stage.
Why the Octopus is the Prime Candidate
Coulson places his bet squarely on the eight-armed cephalopod. 'My money is on octopus, they're going to be the next civilisation builders,' he declares. He envisions a society harnessing tidal power, farming crustaceans, and even developing technology to explore land. 'They could make reverse scuba gear,' he muses. 'They'd need to create robots to help them move around. You never know, they could be hunting deer. I'm not quite sure how they'd cook it underwater… maybe a thermal vent.'
The proposition is grounded in the recognised, if enigmatic, intelligence of octopuses. With a doughnut-shaped brain and hundreds of millions of neurons—many located in their tentacles—they have demonstrated remarkable problem-solving skills. Documented behaviours include escaping complex mazes, constructing simple tools like carts, and executing clever thefts from laboratory tanks.
The Limits and Potential of Cephalopod Smarts
However, experts urge caution against overstating their abilities. Researcher Piero Amodio from Italy's Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn notes, 'They're not smarter than a pig or a dolphin but we're eager to make these comparisons.' Typical drivers of intelligence, like complex social structures (the social intelligence hypothesis) or long lifespans allowing knowledge transfer, don't apply to the largely solitary, short-lived octopus.
Amodio explains their intelligence may stem from an ancient evolutionary trade-off. Around 275 million years ago, their ancestors lost their protective shells, gaining agility to hunt in crevices but also becoming more vulnerable. This pressure likely forced the development of larger brains to outwit predators. For a true civilisation to arise, Coulson speculates octopuses would need to evolve longer lifespans to allow cultural knowledge to accumulate across generations, a leap he doesn't rule out given the right environmental pressures.
Other Contenders for a Post-Human World
If not the octopus, what other species might succeed us? Coulson dismisses a Planet of the Apes scenario as 'too boring' and notes dolphins lack the dexterity for tool-making. His secondary guess is crabs, as 'you can imagine them doing all sorts of stuff with their pincers,' though they would need a significant cognitive upgrade.
Reflecting on humanity's own rise, Dr Emma Bird, a palaeoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum, emphasises that our intelligence was only part of a complex story involving luck and adaptation. She also notes our legacy is one of mixture, not pure dominance: 'We're 20% Neanderthal... In that sense, Neanderthals have not vanished entirely; they have shaped who our species is today.'
Ultimately, Professor Coulson acknowledges his vision is speculative fun. 'It's fun to speculate about,' he concludes, 'and the great thing about it is, we'll be extinct. So when all of this happens, no one can prove me wrong.'
